Action, comedy, drama, and horror - these are some of the most popular genres that the public would see released today. However, there is one genre that has accrued a cult following over the years - disaster movies. Although they are full of tragedy, these films seem to attract people's attention through intriguing plots and the CGI elements.
People also enjoy watching humanity overcome impossible odds and beat a superior 'villain.' But sometimes this isn't always the case. Some people may not realize but there are also a few films that see the villains win. These have a bit of a cult following as well because they often leave audiences begging for more. Take these instances for example...
This Is The End (2013)
Directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the American apocalyptic film This Is the End focuses on a group of celebrities realizing they were in the midst of a global biblical apocalypse. Playing a fictionalized version of themselves, Seth and Jay Bruschel witness numerous people being raptured into Heaven after attending a party.
After realizing the apocalypse is upon them, Rogen, Bruschel, and a few other celebrities band together for survival. However, not many of them live to see it through. Although it does end happily for Rogen and Bruschel, one can't help but wonder what happened to those who have been left behind in the destructive world.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
Although Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom isn't classed as a disaster film, some people may want to reconsider after they saw the ending. Directed by J. A. Bayona, this film saw Claire Dearing attempt to save the dinosaurs by setting up a protection group. Despite the Senate ruling against saving the animals, Claire agrees to help a company move the reptiles to another sanctuary.
At the end of the movie, the audience learns that there is a plan to sell the dinosaurs and put them on the black market. While no one wanted for this to happen, it wasn't exactly reasonable to suggest that humans and dinosaurs have to co-exist. Most people will agree humanity would be wiped out if a T-Rex arrives in town so it will be interesting to see how this pans out in the next one.
Pompeii (2014)
From the title, most people would have been able to guess that this film would end in disaster. However, there is still a bit of a subplot to it. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, Pompeii follows the life of a young gladiator called Milo. Here, he finds himself engaged in a rivalry with a Roman senator, who killed his mother and placed him into slavery.
Milo also ends up forming a close bond with Atticus (who is another gladiator) and Cassia, the daughter of the city's governor. Although it is heartbreaking to watch the characters die as the city is destroyed, it is worth seeing them get a minute respite from the horrors they had been put through.
Ladder 49 (2004)
Directed by Jay Russell, Ladder 49 is an American disaster film that follows the life of a Baltimore firefighter called Jack Morrison. Here, the audience discovers that Jack is entrapped inside a warehouse fire and his squad is desperately trying to get him out. While his friends attempted to get him out, Jack is seen reminiscing about his life and family.
After a series of flashbacks that tell viewers how he worked through the ranks, overcame tragedy, and fell in love, it wasn't hard to root for the firefighter. However, Jack is soon forced to make a life-altering decision that affects everyone involved. It's one of those films that will have people reaching for the tissues.
Life (2017)
Some may not believe Life to be a disaster film but people might also want to reconsider when one contemplates the ending. Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Life is a sci-fi horror film that focuses on six astronauts who discover life exists on Mars. However, picking the substance up proved to be a fatal mistake when they realized "Calvin" was an apex predator and wiped out all other species on the planet.
Despite the crew trying to stop Calvin from getting to earth, the alien crashes on the planet. Although the ending is ambiguous, there is an implication that Calvin could have wiped out the human race due to its skills and intellect.
Cloverfield (2008)
Directed by Matt Reeves, Cloverfield is a film that follows the lives of five New Yorkers who are attempting to flee the city because of a supernatural attack. Mostly based on found footage, the audience sees many of the residents killed after being caught up in the alien's warpath.
Although the military gets involved and destroys Manhattan to try and kill the monster, it is revealed that it did not work. Not only did the main characters all die but the end credits reveal the creature is still alive. If this was true, then humanity was doomed.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
The Day After Tomorrow is another disaster film that focuses on the catastrophic effects of climate change. Directed by Roland Emmerich, the film primarily follows a group of people who live in New York and find themselves caught up in the North American storm.
Here, disaster strikes when a tsunami-like storm surges through Manhattan, forcing them to seek refuge in the Public Library. Although few people survive, one cannot consider the ending as happy since the northern hemisphere is frozen solid and thousands of people have died. Who knows how the planet managed to restore balance?
Deep Impact (1998)
One of the more obvious choices on the list has to be Deep Impact. Directed by Mimi Leder, the film's main plot sees a team of astronauts and scientists sent to space after the earth realizes a comet is on course to wipe out the planet. As they attempt to blow up the comet, there is a lot of catastrophic events occurring on earth, including a tsunami that destroys most of the East Coast.
Eventually, the team realizes there is only one way to destroy the comet and sacrifice themselves for humanity. Although the President insists the country will rebuild, there is a sense of melancholy and sadness.
A Quiet Place (2018)
Directed by John Krasinski, A Quiet Place focuses on a post-apocalyptic world where the Abbott family discovers the planet is now overrun with "Dark Angels." Although they are completely blind, the Dark Angels' other senses are heightened, which has made them harmful and extremely dangerous creatures.
So dangerous, that they have wiped out the majority of the human race. Despite the Abbott family finally discovering their weakness at the end of the film, it doesn't seem like it will be enough to save the human race. Especially when the military and army don't seem to be about as it is.
28 Weeks Later (2007)
28 Weeks Later has to be one of the more entertaining disaster movies. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, the film is directly set after the events of the first, where the audience sees that a safe zone has been established in London. However, the residents find themselves in a spot of trouble when two siblings break protocol, which allows the Rage Virus to infiltrate the community.
While the end sees the government set up a haven in , there is a sense of doom as there is a shot of several infected zombie creatures running towards Paris. Essentially, this means that the world is at risk of going extinct as the virus seems to be spreading.
